Gender-based evaluation of positional variations of gingival papilla and its proportions: A clinicoradiographic study

BACKGROUND: The proportionate presence of natural teeth, gingival tissues along with the interdental papilla (IDP) is critical components of an esthetic smile. Hence, the present study examined the IDP height (PH), its position clinically and radiographically as papilla proportion (PP) and crestal PP (CPP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 120 patients with healthy periodontium with an age group of 20–40 years, equally divided as males and females. The maxillary anterior interdental sites from canine to contralateral canine were examined for PH, PP, crestal PH (CPH), and CPP. RESULTS: The mean values of PH, PP, CPH, and CPP were found to be greater on the mesial aspects of all the teeth as compared to the distal aspects. The females exhibited overall higher values than males for all the parameters. Majority of the teeth exhibited statistically significant differences for PP on mesial aspect when compared based on gender with mean values of 44.58% ±3.35% (males) and 47.17% ±3.23% (females) (P < 0.0001) for central incisor (CI). The CPP on mesial aspect for CI was 50.57% ±3.51% (males) and 54.21% ±3.76% (females) with P < 0.0001. A similar trend was followed in other teeth. CONCLUSION: The maxillary anterior teeth exhibit greater values on mesial aspects for parameters such as PH, PP, and CPP in both the gender thereby indicating an apical positioning of the IDP tip on distal aspect when compared to mesial. Furthermore, the values and differences were more pronounced in females than the males.